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Army Officer Dies in Training Incident at Fort Johnson
The incident remains under investigation, but here is what is known.
An explosive ordnance disposal team leader with 741st Ordnance Company, 3rd Ord. Battalion (DVIDs photo by Clemens Gaines)
Tragedy struck during a training event at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, as First Lt. Zachary Galli lost his life. The 23-year-old officer, assigned to the 749th Ordnance Company, 242nd Explosive Ordnance Battalion, of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an incident related to a fall, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the Galli family, the 749th EOD Co., and the greater EOD community,” stated Col. Brennan Fitzgerald, commander of the 71st EOD.
Lt. Galli, a native of Williamsburg, Virginia, commissioned into the Army nearly two years ago through the University of Virginia’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, where he pursued studies in kinesiology. His commendations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
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The incident remains under investigation.
The Joint Readiness Training Center serves as a vital training ground for the Army, where units engage in large-scale training events before deployment. Annually, approximately 60,000 soldiers from the active-duty force, National Guard, and reserve rotate through the center for pre-deployment training.
This unfortunate event follows another training incident in late April at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, where a soldier from the 7th Infantry Division was accidentally shot with live ammunition during a training exercise involving blanks. The soldier is currently recuperating after sustaining injuries to the abdomen.
The Army has also faced a series of aviation incidents, with 14 fatalities reported last year and an increase in incidents this year.
The loss of Lt. Galli underscores the risks inherent in military training exercises and serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by service members in the line of duty.
